The Family Bed

For a few weeks now, it seems as though every night at least one of the two boys has ended up in bed with us at some point during the night. This family bed was something I thought we would absolutely never do! Carson was the one starting the cycle. He has been a challenging sleeper for a long time, almost 16 months now! :) He started this family bed, when he would wake up at night and I wouldn't be able to get him to stay asleep in his crib. I could get him back to sleep but as soon as I laid him down he would cry. Not wanting Andrew to wake up, and as exhausted as I was, I would simple carry him back to bed with me. That lasted several weeks but he has been staying in his own bed for a while now. Unfortunately Andrew has been finding his way to our bed during the night. He would get really upset if we suggested he go back to his bed. So I would let him crawl in and snuggle up to me. I would try to take him back to his own bed once he fell asleep, if I happened to be awake, or take him to his bed when Carson woke up-before going into Carson's room. Sometimes he would stay there until morning, other times he would show up in our room again later on during the night.

Well....last night was the first night that I didn't get up all night long and neither one of the kids were in our bed!! How wonderful! I heard Carson cough and stir a few times during the night but he went back to sleep on his own. (This only happens rarely and he is 15 1/2 months old!!) A little before 7:00 I heard Andrew crying. I went into his room and asked him what was wrong...He said "I just wanted you to stay." (We lay down with him at night until he falls asleep or else he would just get out of bed over and over) It is nice to feel wanted. So I laid down in his bed until he went back to sleep.

It is now 7:15, both children are still sleeping and I feel rested! It is nice to have this quiet time in the morning while they are sleeping.